Silicone gel insole/midsole within extra-depth outsole

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a silicone gel insole/midsole for footwear with a Shore durometer in the range of 45 A to 55 A, with a thickness of 2-6 mm, layered and bonded between the upper of a shoe and an extra-depth outsole that is also 2-6 mm in depth relative shoe type. Said insole/midsole is for making a conformable and comfortable shoe, part using silicone gel material for use in functional relation with an article of footwear in order to enhance fit, support, comfort, cushioning and because silicone gel properties mimic the energy dissipation properties of human soft tissue and structure, the present invention can also serve to accommodate the unique anatomical features of an individual wearer and finds application within numerous types of articles of footwear.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Much research has gone into the discovery of systems for enhancing the usability of footwear; individuals seeking to develop such a system must attempt to maximize a daunting number of variables, including comfort, shock absorbency, and lateral support. In order to make a midsole as inexpensively as possible, however, it would be ideal to make the insole/midsole out of a single piece of material. While many workers have sought to develop elaborate insole/midsole systems, the insole/midsole system of the present invention is comparatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture: it consists of a single piece of silicone gel material of given durometer and thickness that maximize the comfort, shock absorbency, and lateral support afforded by the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention if directed to a silicone gel insole/midsole for use in an article of footwear, including women's shoes, men's dress shoes, athletic shoes, children's shoes, dance shoes, or sandals. This insole/midsole may be made from silicone with a smooth, or ridged, or otherwise bumpy surface, may be any color, and covers the entire top surface of the relatively rigid outsole of an article of footwear, to ensure that the shoe will be maximally adaptable to the anatomical features of a particular user, and thereby maximize fit, comfort, and support for the user. The gel may be adhered within the extra-depth outsole using any adhesive means, or may be partially absorbed into the material of the outsole. The insole/midsole have a Shore durometer in the approximate range of 45 A-55 A, and have a thickness in the range of 2-6 millimeters. Once a set durometer and thickness is determined for a type of shoe, it remains the same throughout the entire insole/midsole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention is to be used in conjunction with an article of footwear. For purposes of this description, it shall be assumed that the article of footwear (the shoe) with which the invention is used has a relatively rigid extra-depth outsole A having a bottom surface for contacting the ground, and a top surface which faces up and makes contact with the midsole B. The extra-depth outsole A is anchored to an upper portion D of the shoe, which can be made of any suitable material, including leather, cloth, or polymer, and can take any reasonable geometric form, including but not limited to that of a sandal strap, or the upper of a closed-toe shoe of any style. Within the 2-6 mm extra-depth outsole A the insole/midsole B is immovably affixed, either by gluing or sewing, or by any other reasonable means of adherence. The upper surface of the extra-depth outsole may be roughly planar, with an indentation in the approximate shape of the insole/midsole; this indentation may be 2-6 millimeters deep, and the insole/midsole may be placed and affixed within this indentation. Because the insole/midsole can be between 2-6 millimeters in thickness, the top surface of the insole/midsole may be above or below the lip of the indentation. This insole/midsole B may comprise a silicone object having surfaces that are roughly planar, or rounded, or ridged, or ribbed, or bumpy. This insole/midsole B should have a rigidity not exceeding that of the bottom sole, and should be conformable when pressure is applied to it in a direction approximately normal to the plane of its top surface. A silicone gel insole/midsole B having a Shore durometer in the approximate range of 45 A-55 A, and a thickness of approximately 2-6 millimeters is preferred for insole/midsole purposes for the following reasons. First, the Shore durometer of the material ensures that the shoe insole/midsole will be conformable to the particular anatomical features of any wearer's foot, but will be firm enough to provide substantial lateral support to the wearer's foot, to help prevent slippage and blisters. Extensive shock absorption study and research of energy dissipation properties of human soft tissue and structure is very similar to properties of silicone gel therefore, the thickness of the insole/midsole B ensures that the insole/midsole B will deform appropriately in response to the pressure of the wearer's foot, ensuring an optimal degree of comfort and shock absorbance for the sole of the user's foot, while at the same time ensuring adequate lateral support for the user's foot. The term “thickness” refers to the thickness of the mass of silicone that serves a substantially cushioning function. On top of the insole/midsole B, there may be a separate insole C bearing a brand name or other trademark, but it is understood that the present invention may be used with or without an insole C.

The present invention generally uses a full length and full-width silicone gel insole/midsole B; this feature ensures that the entire upper surface of the extra-depth outsole A of a shoe is covered with silicone gel, ensuring maximal cushioning and support for the user, whereas other insoles C or midsoles B available commercially and disclosed in the art only provide for planar coverage of the top surface of the top surface of the outsole A with cushioning material; see, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 7,082,699. This full coverage within the extra-depth, upper face of the outsole A ensures maximum shock absorbency and maximal comfort for the wearer. Embodiments of the invention use full length and full width insole/midsole B that cover between 95% and 100% of the upper surface of the extra-depth outsole A.

FIGURES

FIG. 1. Representative drawing of a shoe making use of the claimed insole/midsole. 

1. A silicone gel insole/midsole for use in an article of footwear, said insole/midsole covering the entire upper surface of the bottom sole with an extra-depth of 2-6 mm of an article of footwear having a bottom sole; and said insole/midsole having one thickness dependent on shoe type in the range between 2 and 6 millimeters; and said insole/midsole having one Shore durometer dependent on shoe type in the range of 45 A-55 A; and said insole/midsole being immovable and attached within the extra-depth of the bottom sole of said article of footwear.
 2. The insole/midsole of claim 1, said insole/midsole having a full coverage of between 95% and 100% of the upper surface of the extra-depth outsole.
 3. The insole/midsole of claim 1 or 2, said insole/midsole resting and adhered within an indentation within the upper surface of the extra-depth outsole; said indentation being roughly the same shape as the insole/midsole, and being 2-6 millimeters in depth. 